105.9 The beat?

[jd]

So you are saying that KPMZ is the most powerful signal in Texas?

No, I didn't say that. You're making an assumption based on their higher HAAT.

The correct equation is height multiplied by the watts it pushes out, right?

Where in the world did you get that?

So, even though the KPMZ height above average terrain is slightly higher, it transmits 10,000 watts less than KGSR, which makes a huge difference.

No, it doesn't make a huge difference. Read my statement about that again, which basically says their coverage areas are about the same.

The fact that KGSR owning the title of Texas' strongest FM signal is not conjecture until you can prove another FM signal beats it.

I don't have to prove it. If KGSR (or any of their previous incarnations) claimed to be the strongest FM in Texas and you believed it, that's fine. At the maximum power allowed it's no "stronger" than other stations that have 100kW ERP. In terms of greatest coverage area, however, any number of full-power maximum height stations could try to lay claim to that title. That's if standard calculations are used; but by using the Longley–Rice model for coverage prediction it would probably be found, for instance, that some Houston area stations have a little better coverage than their counterparts in the D/FW area because of the flatter land in that part of Texas. Notice that I said a "little better" because in the end the coverage of all maximum facility stations would still be virtually the same, with any calculated difference being barely noticeable by most listeners.

 

[93-3TheSurge]

You seem pretty knowledgable about Longley-Rice, HAAT, tropo ducting, etc., so, in your opinion, which FM station does have the strongest signal? If you had to pick one, or give a top 3.

It's frustrating because you keep shooting KGSR down (which is real easy to do)but you never respond with which station you believe has the strongest FM signal.

Or, maybe you believe there is no true #1...

KGSR, KDHT, KXMG, (and any other call letters 93.3 chooses to use this decade) never claimed to be the strongest, this is research I have done on my own, and I would be willing to bet that it is the strongest.

 

[jd]

Let me say that I was impressed with the coverage for Austin's 93.3 when they did the upgrade, and that's been a while. To be realistic, however, I wouldn't put KGSR into Texas' top three in coverage area. I'm not going to say who I think has the best coverage of the full facility FM's in Texas, other than to say that the ones in Southeast Texas would probably have the edge because of their HAAT and the "lay of the land." But it's a slight edge.

While the information to back up any coverage area claims is out there, remember that despite the calculations they are best viewed as estimates. So even if there really is a "number one" it may never be be known for certain since there is a margin of error, a difference between predicted coverage and the real world. It's always fun to speculate, though!

 

[DominiqueRadio]

I was in Austin a few days ago and finally got a chance to listen for a short amount of time. From what I heard this station revolves around Seacrest. Every few minutes they had a Seacrest promo. But then had imaging that said "BACK TO THE HIP HOP"

wth?

lol

Overall I think they sound good aside from the Seacrest (my opinion)

It is certainly better than the alternative.... which in Austin would be nothing.

 

[93-3TheSurge]

I drive to Baton Rouge from Austin about 3 or 4 times a year, and the Houston radio stations that have towers between Houston and Beaumont have pretty impressive coverage, such as KHJK 103.7 and KFNC 97.5. With KFNC, you can pick up a clear signal from Sealy to Welsh, LA mostly without static, which is 217 miles.

I also drive from Austin to Amarillo twice a year, and I can pick up KGSR all the way to Coleman (south of Abilene), and have heard KGSR's signal as far southeast as Columbus, again mostly without static, which is 260 miles.

I have made these trips several times, and the signals are consistent, so you can rule tropospheric ducting out. So at some point you have to throw out Longley-Rice and HAAT and just get out there, drive around and do the research yourself.

If you want to rule this as conjecture that is fine, but I feel confident in saying KGSR has the strongest signal in Texas.

 

[fredcantu]

Your evidence can best be described as anecdotal. And you can't rank stations based on that.

 

[93-3TheSurge]

Wow, that's harsh, Fred. I think if I drove it 10+ times and I gather the same results each time, it then becomes reliable evidence.

On an unrelated topic, I enjoy your newscasts on Telemundo. My spanish continues to improve, thanks to you, and the novella, "El Clon."